MiniDV tapes trying to convert to DVDs on computer, horizontal sync issue

[johncz]

Hi Folks,

Looking for your expert advice on converting MiniDV tapes to DVD, with the best quality that you can, obviously it will never be HD. Searching through the forum I find a lot of VHS to DVD, but not digital MiniDV to DVD. I have also Hi8 analog tapes, and playing video from both cameras (Hi8 and MiniDV) to computer shows basically the same porblem - horizontal sync problem. From the forum I learned that I basically need some TBC to feed the analog signal trough to correct. For the MiniDV I thought I would not have this problem since it is "digital" and I am transfering directly over firewire from the camera to PC, but showing the same problem. So the question is:
- Do I need some special TBC to insert in the firewire (is there even such thing)?
- Or can some software post-correct these skewed frames?
- Or should I forget about the firewire and output from the S-Video or Composite output and go through some TBC, same as for my analog Hi8 tapes.

I have acquired recently Canopus ADVC100, which I plan using for the analog tapes. I have also AJA IoLA which I understand has the TBC function and you can use it in pass through mode before the ADVC100.
- So I need some help what is the best signal to use (for best results) from the MiniDV camera (should I still use somehow Firewire, or S-video, or composite) for best results?
- Also if you can comment if this AJA IoLA to ADVC100 should work OK?

- For capture software I see on the forum recommended Scenanalyzer, WinDV, VirtualDUB.

Sorry for so many questions but appreciate your insight!

Thanks in advance.

[DB83]

I suggest you provide some more info. Especially concerning the firewire port on your PC. Built in or some add-on card ?

Do these DV tapes look ok viewed direct in the camera ?

As you said there is no Analog to Digital conversion here since your source is digital. The capture/transfer should get exactly what is on the tape. TBC's are not for this.

Also possible IMO a bad cable or even a bad port on the camera.

[aedipuss]

first i'd try cleaning the heads. but it looks like a bad video cam to me.

[Bernix]

What about bad tape? When bad from both cameras? And all tapes do same? Have you try different cassette? So camera shouldn't be problem, probably as mentioned DB83, wrong fireware. If you get same result from both, I think Firewire or cassette.

Bernix

[johncz]

It is add-on card in my PC.
I can see the sync issue even on the camera little pop-out LCD screen, so it is on the tape. These are old videos that we took, use to play from the camera OK, but now with the age must have deteriorated. Looking at the picture it looks like all the line info is there, its just shifted to the right on some lines. Camera is Canon ZR25.

[johncz]

Maybe i'll try to take some fresh footage and see if camera is bad or just deteriorated tape.

[johncz]

Plugged in another tape, that one plays OK. So it must be something with that one tape.

[Bernix]

It is not recommended override tape several times. I think about 3-5x is probably too much. Better to not override them at all and keep them as backup treasure.

Bernix

[johncz]

I didn't override..

[aedipuss]

what was the original source? minidv doesn't have horizontal sync issues but if it was a pass-through from a vcr then it's recorded that way on the tape and there is nothing you can do to make it any better.

[johncz]

Uhh, good point, I wonder if I tried to digitize it few years back by feeding the Hi8 camera signal to the MiniDV camera. I will have to see if I have this footage on the Hi8 tape somewhere.

Anyone has an input on the AJA IoLA to ADVC100 connection for TBC?

[jagabo]

Some of the best line TBCs for analog tape sources are the old Panasonic ES10 or ES15 DVD recorders. Passing the signal through them (not recording onto DVD) will clean up pretty severe horizontal sync errors.

But if you recorded old VHS tapes onto DV those DV recordings can't be fixed. Just hope VHS tapes contain the same material.